Akrum Wadley a potential sleeper pick for Panthers on Day 3

Akrum Wadley a potential sleeper pick for Panthers on Day 3

Akrum Wadley may not be a household name in the 2018 NFL Draft running back class, but he is a player that presents tremendous value on Day 3 for the Panthers.

Carolina tabbed Christian McCaffrey with its eighth overall selection in 2017, so don’t look for the Panthers to go running back in Round 1. However, they will need to find a complement to McCaffrey, and there will be quite a bit of value in this year’s draft on Days 2 and 3.

Everyone will be looking for the next Alvin Kamara or Kareem Hunt, and Wadley fits that “overlooked” seed that could blossom at the next level.

The initial and easy knock on Wadley is his size. He checked in at 5-foot-10 and 194 pounds at the combine in April, which might scare a few franchises off from taking the talented tailback.

The former Iowa Hawkeye had a very productive career in Iowa City.

His final two years were almost identical, posting 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground, and another 325 yards and three touchdowns receiving.

He is so fast that he loses a shoe on this one play against Miami (OH).

Wadley is a very balanced back. He is equally as lethal as a receiver as he is on the ground. McCaffrey possesses this powerful dual-threat option as well, which would give offensive coordinator Norv Turner two matchup nightmares in his backfield.

Wadley’s vision and elusiveness will create problems for defenders. Much like the way McCaffrey can stop on a dime and break linebackers’ ankles, Wadley takes great angles and is sudden in his movements.

Similarly to LeSean McCoy and Ronald Jones II, who lack ideal measurables, Wadley is a dual-purpose weapon that can shred a defense.

Carolina is probably looking for more of a Sonny Michel, Nick Chubb, Rashaad Penny feature back, but the Panthers have been heavily linked to Southern Miss scat back Ito Smith.

It’s unclear what style of running back Turner wants beside McCaffrey, but a player like Wadley presents great value in a deep prospect pool and can be had in the fifth round.

If Carolina misses out on the premier running backs on Thursday and Friday nights, tapping the electric Wadley on Saturday would be a great selection.